coops1105

I drive a grand cherokee and my parents gave me a yakima roof rack for Christmas. So now I need to get a bike rack for it. I was thinking the Yakima Raptor because I wont have to take the front wheel off, but it seems like w/ both wheels on will not be as stable. Why do you guys use and why?

Killer B

I like the "AnkleBiter" arm that holds the bike by the crankarm instead of the frame.... Then both wheels are merely strapped down. Otherwise, I would choose a rack that held the bike by the front fork. The frame grippers will mess up the bikes' paint on the downtube.... Been there, done that....

coops1105

I was worried about paint scratches too but according to Yakima the Raptor "Protects bike finish with non-marking padded jaws"

Killer B

The prob isn't with their product, it's all the dirt & mud that gathers on the downtube then you clamp around it. I suppose you could give your bike a shower each time beforehand. That style of clamping scratched the heck out of one of my bikes just in a month or so.... Like I said, between the two styles I'd choose Anklebiter.

coops1105

I didnt even think about the dirt being the actual problem. The anklebiter it is. Thanks Killer

bsyptak

Might want to look into Rocky Mounts. Fork mount which is much more rigid. Fit both Yakima and Thule. Cheaper. Good colors. Excellent product.

mtnbiker66

I use fork mounts on my toolbox,cheap and easy.

khuon

You might want to also look into the SportWorks roofracks...

my58vw

I love my king cobra racks... slide the bike in, holds the tire like a jaw, strap the back wheel in, lock the frame to the rack. Will take a picture outside when I have a chance to get away from my desk at work.

khuon

The Yakima King Cobra is an excellent design. I think its mechanism is better than any of the others out there. The only problem is that on top of a taller vehicle like a Grand Cherokee, it might be a bit hard to deal with... especially if one is of small stature. The same thing can also be said of the the SportWorks system however.

Killer B

That's why I opted to buy a rear hitch rack. I had to buy a special "tube" that goes from the seat post to the headset in order to mount my newest bike on the rear rack though.... Seems nothing is perfect, huh?

Looks like this:

coops1105

I am about 6'5 so I am not really worried about how high it is. Wow decisions, decisions, decisions.

khuon

That's why I got a hitchrack with wheel trays and a vertical support arm that clamps to the seatpost.

Killer B

I thought about one of those, but still wanted to use the $150 rack I already had....
Odd that you took a pic while filling up w/ gas.... Hope you didn't do one of these afterwards.... Oops, forgot, you're a Guy!